Rules for Living

Howdy from Texas-land! I've been a little out of action the last few weeks. Life has been busy. My youngest daughter had another stint in the hospital with complications stemming from her diabetes and then my stepfather was diagnosed with liver cancer. Needless to say, it's been rather hectic in our world.

So, I'm trying to get myself back into the blogging game. I really miss the four or five faithful readers I've acquired along the way. I hope those numbers grow as I launch back into regular blogging again.

My good friend and colleague, Adrienne, asked me why I hadn't been blogging. She said she "missed my rants." Hmm. I guess I'm back to resume my ranting, Adrienne. I'll try not to go on aimlessly, but give everyone food for thought and hopefully encourage discussion.

Soon, I will have an announcement about some things we are doing to raise money for diabetes research, but I'll save that once all the plans have been finalized.

Tonight, and after some thought and reflection, I figured I'd write something good since this is my first blog in weeks. I mean, I don't just want to come out and write some mindless dribble. This needs to be the product of time spent pensively pouring over my existence.

If you're a football fan, and if you caught my Dallas Cowboys barely escaping with their lives in Buffalo last Monday night, perhaps you watched the pre-game show. Bill Parcells, former Cowboys head coach, revealed his 11 Commandments for being an effective quarterback in the NFL. This got me to thinking.

I have this mantra I often say to my students as they leave my room, "The world is your oyster, go cultivate the pearl." I started examining who I am and what I stand for. When you teach careers to a bunch of 8th graders, sometimes the kids want to know what you think. Sometimes they surprise me when they ask for a nugget of wisdom that will help them as they pursue their dreams. Tonight, I offer you MY 11 Commandments, or rules, for living. Here goes...

1. To your own self be true. Honesty, integrity, courage--these qualities make the man.

2. Money isn't anything. Sure, we all need money to survive...just don't worship it.

3. Love God with all your heart and everything will fall into place.

4. Marry for love, not stuff. Relationships are about the heart, not the wallet.

5. Never, ever stop learning. Always be a student.

6. Life is a journey--enjoy the ride, even if it gets rough. It's the rough that makes you appreciate the smooth.

7. Do your job, follow instructions. Whether you're a son, daughter, student, spouse, employee, parent--just do your job and you'll do fine.

8. Be a crisis manager, not a drama queen. The world has more than enough drama queens and too few real leaders.

9. Find a mentor/be a mentor. There's always someone out there that knows more than you and always someone you can help.

10. Serve your community. Be a good citizen and take care of those around you. Leave the world a better place.

11. Always remember, when no one else is watching...God is. Live a life above reproach.

There they are, my 11 Commandments. I'm no Bill Parcells. I'm just a husband, dad, teacher, son, brother, student, friend, and many other things. I've lived 43 years, which isn't long compared to others or the universe, but I've been burned by life. I've enjoyed the greatest victories and lowest defeats. I've got a nice big handstamp on the roller coaster of life.

I just thought I'd share this with you. Hope it helps. Let me know what you think.

That's my confession...what's yours?

My God bless you with an abundant life.



TFR